A sensational series from Royal Yachting Association (RYA) national youth champions Frances Peters and Claire Lasko saw them crowned ISAF Youth World girls’ 29er champions with one race still to go at the Championships in Arhus, Denmark today.

 

In an incredible day for the Peters family of Hayling Island, Frances’ younger brother James and his partner Ed Fitzgerald added the boy’s 29er title to RYA Team GBR’s golden medal haul after a race 13 disqualification for American duo Judge Ryan and Hans Henken left the Britons with an unassailable lead going into the final day.

 

The all-round success of the British sailors in Denmark throughout the week has also led to them clinching the Volvo Trophy for the top performing nation at the Championships.

 

With standings calculated based on a nation’s top four crews after each race is completed across all the fleets, Britain currently lie on 336 points, with defending champions Australia tieing with New Zealand in second place on 304 points.

 

However, with the Peters siblings having secured at least 12 points in race 12, the British team cannot be beaten tomorrow and will lift the Trophy for the first time since 1996 and the third time in total.

 

Peters, 17, and 18-year-old Lasko, from Thame, have so far picked up an excellent five wins and four seconds from their 14 races, and with a discard of fourth, it means they have sealed gold on the basis that even if they have a poor final race and nearest challengers, Holland's Annemiek Bekkering and Jeske Kisters, win that race, the Britons will still have a one-point advantage over the Dutch girls.

 

Peters, 15, and 16-year-old Fitzgerald, from Chichester, had to wait until the jury had returned a disqualification verdict against the Americans for a race 13 right of way infringement, protested by the French, until they could start to celebrate victory (subject to any appeal by the Americans).

 

Frances Peters said: "It hasn't sunk in yet.

 

"It is a relief because this is what we have been working towards for so long.

 

"Seven hour sessions out on the water in December have finally paid off and it is all worthwhile now.

 

"This is why we did it and worked so hard.

 

"I think it will sink in when everyone has finished all the races.

 

"It is the first event we are pleased with the result and all the rest were stepping stones to this result.”

 

Britain could also enjoy further medal success tomorrow with the SL16 catamaran team of James Ellis and Andrew Glover lying in third place overnight, four points ahead of fourth-placed Danes Simon Michaelsen and Jacob Dannefer but just also just four points behind South Africans Matthew Whitehead and Michael Ovenstone who currently occupy the silver medal position.

 

Simon Wergan, the RYA youth manager, said: ”Frances and Claire have sailed terrifically well and been thoroughly professional in everything they have done all week, they have been a class act on and off the water, likewise the boys.

 

"Before the event we asked all the sailors to be very focussed and stick to their routines and at an event when there are a lot of distractions, they have all done that.

 

”The whole team has contributed magnificently to the overall results and have provided a very strong foundation for the what is proving to be an excellent team performance.

 

"However while there is some good news today, no-one will be celebrating tonight.

 

"We still have a race to go and we have a chance of another medal so we will be preparing tonight as if it is just another race tomorrow.”